Tuesday, 23 Jan 2024

Written Answers Nos. 455-466

Prison Service

Questions (455)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

455. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the total number of occasions on which prisoners slept on mattresses, by prison, during Q4 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2998/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice (Deputy Helen McEntee)

As the Deputy will be aware the Irish Prison Service does not have the option of refusing committals and must accept all people committed by the courts. The prison system is under increasing pressure due to factors such as continuing population growth.

I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service and my Department are committed to providing safe and secure custody for all people committed to prison while ensuring a safe working environment for staff. Officials in the Irish Prison Service and the Department are continuously working to identify short, medium and longer term proposals to help manage the current capacity issues in our prisons.

Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, officials in the Irish Prison Service make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and structured Temporary Release. Decisions in relation to temporary release are considered on a case by case basis and the safety of the public is paramount when those decisions are made.

In addition, a Prison Overcrowding Response Group has been established, with officials from across the Department, the Irish Prison Service, Probation Service, Courts Service, and An Garda Síochána. This group is currently examining proposals to address overcrowding.

While focused on rehabilitation and reducing offending, including through diversion, we also need to continue to invest in our prison estate, to ensure that it is modern and fit for purpose and that it has the capacity to accommodate those committed to prison by the courts.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and to provide additional capacity.

In recent years, works have been completed to modernise the Mountjoy complex, a new prison was constructed in Cork and additional prisoner accommodation was provided in the Midlands Prison.

Furthermore, the Training Unit in Mountjoy was reopened providing an additional 96 spaces and the opening of new male accommodation in Limerick in 2022 has provided an additional 90 cell spaces. The new standalone female prison in Limerick is now providing an additional 22 female cell spaces, bringing additional capacity across the estate to in excess of 200 new spaces.

Plans have also been outlined for 4 capital projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands and Mountjoy prisons to deliver a maximum of 620 additional spaces. I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to progress an agreed schedule of capital builds, including the delivery of additional Prison spaces.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of people in custody sleeping on mattresses on the floor during quarter four of 2022 is contained in the tables below.

Number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor October 2022

DATE	Castlerea	Cloverhill	Limerick Male	Limerick Female	Mountjoy Male
1st	0	35	8	2	0
2nd	0	37	6	2	0
3rd	0	36	6	2	0
4th	0	40	8	3	0
5th	0	35	7	2	0
6th	0	27	6	2	5
7th	0	31	2	0	7
8th	0	36	5	2	4
9th	0	36	3	2	3
10th	0	37	2	2	4
11th	0	35	2	2	9
12th	0	29	3	3	22
13th	0	25	3	3	21
14th	0	29	4	4	25
15th	0	25	2	3	0
16th	2	24	0	3	0
17th	7	27	2	3	0
18th	9	34	3	5	7
19th	9	29	3	5	15
20th	8	28	4	3	15
21st	6	29	4	1	15
22nd	7	29	0	0	13
23rd	7	31	2	1	13
24th	10	27	2	1	13
25th	11	35	1	1	13
26th	12	37	1	2	11
27th	11	26	0	7	14
28th	10	23	0	7	13
29th	5	18	0	7	13
30th	5	18	0	7	13
31st	10	19	0	5	13

*The following prisons had no instances of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor in October 2022: Arbour Hill, Cork, Dóchas Centre, Midlands, Portlaoise, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and Wheatfield Prison.

Number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor November 2022

Date	Castlerea	Cloverhill	Cork	Limerick Male	Limerick Female	Mountjoy Male
1st	12	15	0	0	5	12
2nd	13	23	0	0	5	14
3rd	12	18	0	0	4	17
4th	17	22	0	1	4	20
5th	15	18	0	4	3	26
6th	23	19	0	8	5	25
7th	20	26	0	8	5	24
8th	16	22	0	6	4	47
9th	6	24	0	9	4	48
10th	9	17	0	6	6	40
11th	4	20	0	5	6	37
12th	5	28	0	4	4	37
13th	5	26	0	4	4	35
14th	5	23	0	3	4	38
15th	6	26	0	9	7	34
16th	4	24	0	8	6	36
17th	6	21	0	8	16	38
18th	7	13	0	15	8	47
19th	10	12	0	13	7	47
20th	10	16	0	12	7	44
21st	10	16	0	14	7	33
22nd	8	19	1	21	8	42
23rd	9	11	1	21	9	42
24th	7	14	7	23	10	40
25th	8	14	9	26	14	38
26th	6	16	9	22	15	36
27th	6	16	9	18	16	38
28th	8	16	7	19	15	35
29th	7	15	6	20	9	39
30th	9	17	4	18	12	37

**The following prisons had no instances of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor in November 2022: Arbour Hill, Dóchas Centre, Midlands, Portlaoise, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and Wheatfield Prison.

Number of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor December 2022

Date	Castlerea	Cloverhill	Cork	Dóchas	Limerick Male	Limerick Female	Mountjoy Male
1st	7	24	7	0	18	10	38
2nd	11	18	7	0	19	9	35
3rd	12	15	6	3	21	8	37
4th	15	15	5	1	21	8	38
5th	19	19	4	0	22	10	38
6th	17	18	1	0	21	10	33
7th	18	19	1	0	23	10	35
8th	13	15	0	0	22	9	35
9th	18	17	0	1	22	11	34
10th	12	22	1	0	26	9	33
11th	12	29	1	0	27	10	32
12th	12	39	0	0	29	11	31
13th	11	39	0	0	26	10	27
14th	11	24	0	0	22	10	27
15th	13	22	0	0	24	10	27
16th	14	19	0	0	0	9	26
17th	12	16	0	0	0	10	25
18th	14	15	0	0	0	10	25
19th	13	11	0	0	0	10	24
20th	12	16	0	0	0	9	22
21st	9	10	0	0	0	11	21
22nd	11	8	0	0	1	10	19
23rd	11	2	0	0	7	11	19
24th	8	0	0	0	7	11	19
25th	10	0	0	0	7	12	19
26th	10	0	0	0	6	12	19
27th	11	0	0	0	7	10	19
28th	12	0	0	0	7	10	18
29th	12	0	0	0	7	11	20
30th	12	0	0	0	7	12	19
31st	11	1	0	0	7	12	19

***The following prisons had no instances of prisoners sleeping on mattresses on the floor in December 2022: Arbour Hill, Midlands, Portlaoise, Shelton Abbey, Loughan House and Wheatfield Prison.

The Deputy will wish to note that while numbers in custody may fall below a prisons bed capacity there may still be people sleeping on mattresses as it could be a case that it was not possible to share with someone that was already in the cell. This can arise due to the nature of offence of either person, security issues in terms of gangland or also potential medical issues that would require a person to be kept in a cell on their own. It could also be the case that there are maintenance issues with individual cells resulting in the cell being out of use.

Prison Service

Questions (456)

Pa Daly

Question:

456. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of integrated sentence management (ISM) coordinators allocated to each prison across the Prison Service; and the average caseload per ISM coordinator. [3023/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that there are 27 dedicated Integrated Sentence Management (ISM) Coordinators operational in all prisons.

There are an additional 2 Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators assigned to the shared Irish Prison Service and Probation Service Co-Located Unit, who are dedicated to the sentence management of prisoners selected for participation in the Joint Agency Response to Crime, Community Support and Community Return Schemes. Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators are supported by prison management and the prison-based multi-disciplinary team to work with operational staff to deliver effective sentence management.

Prisoners with a sentence of greater than one year or prisoners serving a sentence of any length for a sex offence are eligible to take part in the Integrated Sentence Management process.

Additionally Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators also support prisoners who are serving sentences of less than one year and are engaged in the Community Support Scheme.

The Integrated Sentence Management process is a prisoner-centred, multi-disciplinary approach to working with prisoners, with a particular emphasis on prisoners taking greater personal responsibility for their own development through active engagement with services in the prisons. Important issues such as accommodation, employment and education are addressed to help the prisoner plan towards improved resettlement into the community on release and reduce the risk of re-offending.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the number of Integrated Sentence Management (ISM) coordinators allocated to each prison and the average caseload per Integrated Sentence Management Coordinator is provided in the table below.

Establishment	FTE	Vacancies	Total ISM Eligible Prisoners in Custody @ 18.01.2024	Average Caseload
Arbour Hill Prison	1	0	135	135
Castlerea Prison	2	0	251	125.5
Cloverhill Prison	2	0	25	12.5
Cork Prison	3	0	162	54
Dochas Centre (Mountjoy Female)	2	0	79	39.5
Limerick Prison (Male)	2	0	192	96
Limerick Prison (Female)	1	0	35	35
Loughan House	1	0	120	120
Midlands Prison	4	1*	771	193
Mountjoy Male Prison	3	0	678	226
Portlaoise Prison	1	0	197	197
Shelton Abbey	1	0	104	104
Training Unit	1	0	98	98
Wheatfield Prison	3	0	450	150
Co-Located Unit	2	0	N/A	N/A
Total	29	0

*This vacancy is currently being filled by relief panel until such time as it can be permanently filled.

Prison Service

Questions (457)

Patrick Costello

Question:

457. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of reports submitted to her office by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons that have not yet been published; the date of submission of each of these reports; when such reports will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3074/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy is aware, the Inspector of Prisons is a statutory office holder, independent in the performance of his functions, in accordance with the Prisons Act 2007.

Section 31(1) of the Prisons Act 2007 places an obligation on the Inspector of Prisons to carry out regular inspections of prisons in Ireland. Under section 31(2) the Inspector may, and shall if so requested by the Minister for Justice, investigate any matter arising out of the management or operation of a prison and shall submit a report to the Minister on any such investigation.

Since 2012, the Inspector of Prisons has been responsible for preparing a report on the death of any person in the custody of the Irish Prison Service, including any person who has been on temporary release for less than one month prior to their death. These reports are laid by me before the Houses of the Oireachtas and published on gov.ie. Subsequently, the Inspector publishes them on his own website.

Four inspection reports and four reports relating to deaths in custody are awaiting publication. As I previously indicated to the Deputy, I was not in a position to publish a number of reports based on legal advice. These reports were received between August 2020 and December 2023. The current position is that I expect to be in position to publish six reports shortly while two remain unpublished on foot of legal advice.

Departmental Data

Questions (458)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

458. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify whether the transfer of data and/or records from her Department that is transferred to other departments, State bodies and local authorities is in aggregated form or on an individual basis; and the reason the data and/or records are provided. [3086/24]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

As I set out in my reply to the Deputy's question on January 17th, my Department has a very wide range of functions, and data may be legally shared with various public bodies for operational reasons. This data sharing can involve aggregated and/or individual-level information.

Aggregated data is transferred by my Department for statistical and research purposes. This anonymous statistical data cannot be used to identify individuals, and therefore is not personal or person-specific data. Transfers of statistical aggregated datasets to the Central Statistics Office and Eurostat are ongoing.

Personal data is only shared by my Department at an individual level where there is legitimate reason to do so, a valid lawful basis and in strict accordance with Data Protection principles.

I hope the Deputy will appreciate that given the volume of data shared by the Department it is not possible to provide details on a case-by-case basis, but data shared with Government Departments, Agencies and other bodies/offices may be aggregated or person-specific depending on the purpose of data being requested by the recipient and the legal basis for sharing.

Animal Welfare

Questions (459)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

459. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a proposal (details supplied) to ban electric dog collars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2398/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, a person is prohibited from causing unnecessary pain or suffering or endangering the health and welfare of any animal. The Act also provides that a person having possession of an animal must ensure that the animal is kept in a manner that safeguards its health and welfare. All legislation under the remit of my Department is kept under constant review, including legislation to ensure the health and welfare of canines.

The use of remotely controlled electronic shock collars in dogs and cats has been banned in several European countries on the grounds of animal welfare. The Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, which I established under an independent chair as part of my Department's wider animal welfare strategy, advises me on such matters and are considering the question of whether the use of these devices on dogs and cats ought to be banned in Ireland and are inviting submissions from stakeholders on this question, by email, to [e-mail], before 26th January 2024.

I wish to make clear that this consultation relates only to the use of remotely controlled electronic shock collars on dogs and cats. It does not relate to the use of shock collars which are part of a fencing system to prevent straying or to anti-bark collars.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (460)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

460. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the satellite images used by his Department in making the decision that a person (details supplied) was not eligible to apply for the Shannon callows compensation scheme on the parcels listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2414/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.

A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.

Officials in my Department will provide the imagery to the Deputy separately in the coming days.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (461)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

461. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the satellite images used by his Department in making the decision that a person (details supplied) was not eligible to apply for the Shannon callows compensation scheme on the parcels listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2415/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.

A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.

Officials in my Department will provide the imagery to the Deputy separately in the coming days.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (462)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

462. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the satellite images used by his Department in making the decision that a person (details supplied) was not eligible to apply for the Shannon callows compensation scheme on the parcels listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2416/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.

A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.

Officials in my Department will provide the imagery to the Deputy separately in the coming days.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (463)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

463. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the satellite images used by his Department in making the decision that a person (details supplied) was not eligible to apply for the Shannon callows compensation scheme on the parcels listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2417/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.

A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.

Officials in my Department will provide the imagery to the Deputy separately in the coming days.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (464)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

464. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the satellite images used by his Department in making the decision that a person (details supplied) was not eligible to apply for the Shannon callows compensation scheme on the parcels listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2418/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.

A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.

Officials in my Department will provide the imagery to the Deputy separately in the coming days.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (465)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

465. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the satellite images used by his Department in making the decision that a person (details supplied) was not eligible to apply for the Shannon callows compensation scheme on the parcels listed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, on 7 November 2023 I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have lost fodder due to flooding in the region during summer 2023. I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare. This is for LPIS parcels in the Shannon Callows impacted as determined by my Department's Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.

My Department has contacted the farmers that the Earth Observation team, utilising the Area Monitoring System, identified as having been impacted by the flooding, providing them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers are asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the exceptional flooding in order to receive payment.

A total of 230 expression of interest letters including the application form were issued on the 17 November 2023 and a further 47 expression of interest letters including the application form issued on the 7 December 2023, with 268 out of 277 now paid.

Officials in my Department will provide the imagery to the Deputy separately in the coming days.

Organic Farming

Questions (466)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

466. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the name and location of all salmon farm sites in Ireland currently certified as organic; if any salmon farm sites either lost their organic certification or if any operators voluntarily withdrew from the organic certification bodies since 1 January 2022 to date in 2024; if so, to outline the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2420/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.